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1. The number of empty homes in the city is still rising

The latest official figures reveal there were 1,364 houses and flats in Coventry that had been left empty for at least six months last year.

That’s up from 1,150 long-term vacant homes counted across the area the year before - and 1,080 empty dwellings in 2014.

The rise of empty housing is not just an issue in Coventry. Across the UK there has been a dramatic increase is homes sitting empty for six months or more.

Nationally, there were 205,293 long-term vacant homes counted in 2017 - up from 200,145 the year before.

2. Councils are struggling to house the homeless

At the same time as long-term vacant housing is increasing, rising homelessness is also causing problems for local councils.

The recent annual Homelessness Monitor from Crisis revealed that almost three quarters of local authorities in England are struggling to find stable housing for homeless people in their area.

The report also found that nearly 90 per cent of local authorities reported difficulties in finding private rented accommodation for those in need.

As a result, many councils have found themselves forced to place ever more homeless people in emergency housing, including B&Bs and hostels.

Around the time these figures on long-term vacants were collected, on December 31 2017, 2,570 homeless households were being housed in temporary accommodation by local authorities in the West Midlands - 278 in Coventry.

3. Experts believe more needs to be done to help councils

Since 2013, local authorities have been able to charge an extra 50 per cent council tax on properties that have been empty for more than two years.

Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) enable local authorities to put an unoccupied property back into use as housing by allowing them to take over properties that have been vacant for six months or more.

But recent research from the Lib Dems showed that just one in 13 councils are making use of them.

The Local Government Association has called on the government to make it easier for local authorities to act.

A spokesperson said: "The existing powers open to councils are complex and difficult to use. The government should simplify existing powers to support local authorities to bring empty properties back into use.”

Leader of the Coventry Conservatives Cllr Gary Ridley said it was important to "work with empty property owners to resolve the situation" and "be prepared to make use of all the tools which are available".

4. Some blame the demand for student housing

With so many student developments popping up in Coventry, some have blamed developers for not bringing enough social and affordable housing to the city.

Geraldine Tsakirakis, community director at Coventry’s Emmaus charity, commented: “With Coventry, you’ve got a lot of students around and there is still a lot of demand for student accommodation. A landlord can get far more from overseas students than they can from local people.”

University of Warwick Students Union have branded the idea that students are a driving factor “misguided” and suggest the fault lies with the government and local councils.

General views of Coventry housing

A spokesperson said: “Whilst we understand the concerns local residents have with student housing more broadly, to suggest that it is a driver for homelessness is deeply misguided.

“Ultimately, the fault lies with local councils and the government for their lack of regulation and poor social policies."

The student union has said the council’s approach to homelessness “leaves much to be desired" and hit out at its policy on fining beggars.

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5. Changes to housing benefit may be adding to the struggle

John P Coote who works with Coventry Comfort Carers - an outreach project helping the homeless to get back on their feet - has suggested changes to housing benefit may also be making it harder for people to find places to stay.

He said: “We have noticed an increase in landlords unwilling to accept tenants on housing benefit due to mainly the roll out of universal credits.

“We have been asked for up to six months money upfront to secure accommodation (we assist in DHP applications and with social services referrals) this is a ridiculous amount for somebody to find up front.”

He added: “I feel a compulsory purchase order by the council on properties empty for over three years would be more viable than the 50 per cent council tax after two years, the properties could then be used for social purpose and social housing.”

6. Coventry cares about the homeless - and people want more to be done

Lots of readers got in touch with us to share their views on the ongoing issues around homelessness and housing.

It's something that the people of Coventry are always keen to discuss and we had lots of ideas on what could be done to make sure people are kept off the streets.

Unfortunately, it's not easy getting empty homes back into use as the majority are privately owned. But there's still lots of dedicated work going on in the city to help the homeless.

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Coventry homelessness

Local charity Coventry Cyrenians pointed out that they provide more supported accommodation for single homeless people in Coventry than any other single agency, adding: "We are more than keen to focus on local solutions to local challenges."

Emma Dudley agreed that landlords can make it difficult for housing benefit claimants. She said: "Perhaps there's encouragement needed for landlords to accept people on benefits too.

"The amount that won't except DSS is disgusting especially considering their rent is guaranteed and the rental prices are too high or housing benefit is not enough in line with rising rental costs."

Adam Harmsworth said: "You would think a modern society could easily put homeless people in people-less homes and so immediately prevent suffering and the risk of death on the streets.

"With the power of landlords and property developers -and their representatives in government- that isn't possible."